<p>I'm a graduating senior this year from a top-teir technology school, getting a degree in biochemistry and biology. I am taking 6 months to a year off for personal reasons before applying to any schools. My ultimate goal is a PhD in virology or other related field. The issue I am trying to asses it that of my GPA. Due to continuing health problems and a bit of bad luck, I'm going to be graduating with a GPA of around 3.0-3.1. My classes have all been challenging (aka no filler) and relevant to my majors. GRE scores are at or above the 90% mark. I've worked the past two years in one of the best research labs in the country. I have several letters of recommendation, one directly from a nobel laureate himself. I am currently named on one published paper, and will be named on another hopefully by summer.</p>
<p>What are my chances in a top-teir grad program? I'm fairly confident I can get into at least one program somewhere, but to be honest, I'd like to be better rather then worse. Is there anything I can do to improve my chances (delaying graduation to take some GPA booster classes, etc)? Is it worth even applying to some of the more selective schools or will my GPA automatically get my rejected? Where is a good resources to figure out what schools would be considered reach and which would be more within my range? Any help is appreciated.</p>
<p>I know you posted a year ago, but your situation sounds very similar to mine. I am a junior biology major at a top 20 university and will have just BARELY over a 3.0 GPA when I graduate, but I am guessing I will have good GRE scores when I take it (I got an 800M/750V on my SAT). </p>
<p>I’ve done quite a bit of research, will have a lot of PhD’s I’ve worked for who can write recs and will have completed a few grad classes by the time I graduate. Like you, I’ve taken almost all science classes. I was wondering if you’ve had any luck with getting into grad school? I’m thinking of trying to do an MS first (don’t really care about prestige, I’ve had enough of that stuff), I hope my GPA doesn’t stand in the way… my school doesn’t inflate grades at all and I’ve had a lot of other stuff going on the past couple years (dad has been really sick so I have to take care of him, have to work a lot because my parents don’t have jobs, etc.) buuut I’m not sure if admissions people want to hear all that. </p>
<p>Hope you’ve had some good doors open up for you =) Please let me know how it’s going. Thanks!</p>
<p>I didn’t have much above a 3 point GPA from college. The things I did to make myself more competitive when I applied for Phd programs (working in virology, in fact) were that I worked as a tech for a couple of years (which led to five publications and strong recommendations) and took some graduate classes while I was a tech. You are certainly more than welcome to stay on at your undergrad school and take filler classes but that isn’t going to fool anyone. The admissions committees see your transcript and know what to think when somebody hasn’t taken a science class in 18 month.s</p>